100 Free Things to Do in New York City

New York isn't expensive if you know where to look or are willing to think creatively. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

1. Win fun prizes and oggle celebrities at Rapture Cafe's bingo night.

2. Realize that there's more to New York City than pigeons on a Department of Parks and Recreation birding hike.

3. Get feedback on your novel at a Gotham Writers' Workshop event.

4. Chat with indie film professionals at the indieWIRE Presents Series.

5. Fish in the Harlem Meer with a pole borrowed from the Dana Discovery Center in Central Park. However, this is not a free lunch--catch and release only.

6. Frame a house or paint a child's new bedroom with Habitat for Humanity.

7. Sip wine at one of LeNell's tastings.

8. Then drink some more at Union Square Wines and Spirits.

9. Cheer or jinx commuters trying to make their trains as you people-watch from the balcony in Grand Central Station.

10. See what the Germans are up to at the Goethe-Institut, which offers free exhibitions, screenings, talks, and more.

11. Blush at the sexy stories and poems read each month at the Happy Ending Lounge.

12. Come out to support the runners in the New York City Marathon.

13. Count the places where George Washington slept on a self-guided Heritage Trails walking tour.

14. Serve meals and reach out to homeless men and women at one of the city's churches.

15. Tango in a TriANGulO Beginner Workshop.

16. Be a typical Brooklyn hipster and do things differently. Scorn the subway for Heart of Brooklyn's weekend trolley.

17. Hunt for Native American artifacts at Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve.

18. View the Statue of Liberty from Castle Clinton National Monument.

19. Track down as many of the public works in the Percent for Art Program as you can.

20. Build a sandcastle or relax at Rockaway Beach.

21. Gorge on architecture and history during the annual Open House New York weekend.

22. Build a bicycle with found parts after learning how from the Freegan Bike Workshop.

23. Go on a Central Park ecology tour.

24. Play Marco Polo in the outdoor pool at the Asser Levy Rec Center.

25. Free love: snag some condoms courtesy of the Department of Health.